Method and system for managing, accessing and paying for the use of copyrighted electronic media

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for identifying copyrighted content on a network to help ensure legal uses of the copyrighted content. The method includes searching a network for steganographically embedded content based on predetermined information; comparing data extracted from located content to the predetermined information; and, if the extracted data matches the predetermined information, verifying with a database whether the located content has been licensed for on-line uses.

1. A method comprising:
 analyzing media content to obtain auxiliary data steganographically embedded therein, wherein the auxiliary data is embedded through subtle alterations of data representing at least a portion of the media content; 
 communicating the auxiliary data to a network resource, wherein the network resource comprises usage rights information catalogued therein, and wherein the usage rights information includes usage rights information that is associated with the media content; 
 receiving the usage rights information that is associated with the media content from the network resource; and 
 carrying out an action based at least in part on the received usage rights information. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the media content is encrypted. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the network resource comprises a computer in communication with the internet. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the auxiliary data is redundantly embedded in the media content. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein the auxiliary data is redundantly embedded in the media content according to a key. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the media content comprises geometric registration information steganographically embedded therein. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the media content comprises at least one of image content, audio content and video content. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the network resource is remotely located from a processor executing the method recited in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. A computer readable medium including executable instructions stored therein, said instruction comprising instructions to carryout the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       10. A method comprising:
 decoding a steganographically hidden identifier from a media signal, wherein the identifier is bidden Through subtle alterations of data representing ax least a portion of the media signal; 
 communicating the decoded identifier to an on-line registry to obtain usage rights information associated with the media signal; 
 receiving the usage rights information from the on-line registry; 
 carrying out an action based at least in part on the usage rights information. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein the media signal comprises at least one of an image, audio and video. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10  wherein the media signal is encrypted. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10  wherein the identifier is redundantly embedded in the media signal. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  wherein the identifier is redundantly embedded in the media signal according to a key. 
     
     
       15. A computer readable medium including executable instructions stored therein, said instruction comprising instructions to carryout the method of  claim 10 . 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1  wherein the auxiliary data is steganographically embedded through digital watermarking. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 10  wherein the identifier is steganographically hidden in the media signal through digital watermarking. 
     
     
       18. A method comprising:
 decoding a steganographically encoded identifier from a media signal, wherein the identifier comprises plural-bits and is hidden in the media signal through changes to data representing at least a portion of the media signal; 
 providing the decoded identifier to an on-line resource to obtain usage rights information associated with the media signal; 
 receiving the usage rights information from the on-line resource; and 
 carrying out an action bused at least in part on the usage rights information. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein said action comprises enabling or disabling a copy operation. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  wherein the identifier is hidden in the media signal through digital watermarking. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 18  wherein said decoding utilizes at least a transform function. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 1  wherein said analyzing utilizes at least a transform function. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 10  wherein said decoding utilizes at least a transform function.